Blog Topic: On Campus

In the Loop: The UGA Class of 2022 Might Be the Smartest Ever

By Blake Aued | August 20, 2018 2:05pm

The Class of 2022 had an average high-school grade point average of 4.04—the highest ever at the University of Georgia.

The average ACT score was 30, tying last year's record, and the average SAT score was 1,365, up 21 points from 2017, according to statistics released by UGA.

The average freshman took eight Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual enrollment classes in high school.

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Culture Briefs: Photo Gallery: UGA International Street Festival

By Jessica Silverman | April 10, 2018 1:31pm

Attendees dance outside of the Chinese booth.

University of Georgia students from around the world celebrated their cultures Saturday at the International Street festival on College Square, and Flagpole photographer Jessica Silverman captured the action.

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In the Loop: Driver Kills UGA Professor and Cyclist Karen Tinsley

By Blake Aued | April 4, 2018 6:59pm

Photo Credit: UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Karen Tinsley, a faculty member in the University of Georgia's College of Family and Consumer Sciences, died Tuesday after being hit by a truck while riding her bike in Oconee County.

An F-150 struck and killed Tinsley, an avid cyclist, on Astondale Road near Bishop Tuesday night, according to the Oconee Enterprise.

Tinsley, 45, is a native of Augusta who moved to Athens in 2002 and earned her master's degree and doctorate from UGA. The Watkinsville resident was recently promoted to senior public service associate at FACS.

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In the Loop: RIP Peter Appel, Barry Hollander and Rich Rusk

By Blake Aued | January 31, 2018 9:28am

Athens recently lost three prominent members of the community in activist Rick Rusk and University of Georgia professors Barry Hollander and Peter Appel.

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In the Loop: Gun Group Will Push to Expand Campus Carry in 2018

By Blake Aued | December 20, 2017 4:04pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

A campus carry protest Mar. 21 on the UGA campus.

While most Athens residents would prefer to talk about repealing campus carry, an influential gun-rights group will be lobbying state legislators to expand the law next year.

Buried in AJC political reporter Jim Galloway's Sunday column are these words from John Monroe, vice president of GeorgiaCarry.org:

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In the Loop: UGA Employee Arrested for Bringing Gun Into Dorm

By Blake Aued | December 13, 2017 12:14pm

A University of Georgia bus driver was arrested last week after leaving his handgun in a residence hall restroom, according to UGA police.

Brett Michael Davis, 30, stopped at Brumby Hall to use the men's room on the morning of Dec. 6, according to the Athens Banner-Herald. He took his gun out of his holster and placed it on the railing of a handicapped stall, then left without the gun.

Fifteen minutes later, he returned for the loaded weapon, but an administrator at the dorm had already seen it and called police, who were on the scene when he returned.

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In the Loop: Nick Chubb's Fascinating Family History

By Blake Aued | November 28, 2017 4:23pm

Photo Credit: UGA Athletic Association

For all of Georgia running back Nick Chubb's accomplishments on the football field, what his ancestors did may be even more impressive.

The Atlanta news website Saporta Report ran a story Monday on the Chubb family history, and it is incredible.

In 1851, eight Chubb brothers, all freed slaves, moved from North Carolina to Madison, GA, about 30 miles south of Athens, then settled near Rome, founding an unincorporated community called Chubbtown.

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In the Loop: Hice: GOP Will Try to Repeal Obamacare Again

By Nate Harris | October 20, 2017 12:07pm

Photo Credit: Nate Harris

Rep. Jody Hice speaks to the UGA College Republicans on Oct. 18.

U.S. Rep. Jody Hice mostly echoed common Republican rhetoric during his visit to the University of Georgia College Republicans on Wednesday, lauding Republican lawmakers’ new tax plan, which is still taking shape, and efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Hice, who represents most of Athens in Congress, predicted that the GOP is not done trying to overhaul the ACA after two failed attempts earlier this year. "This battle over health care is not over," he said. "That's the good news."

Hice dove into the gridlock in Congress, particularly the Senate, saying the 60-vote filibuster rule in the Senate has caused a "backup of House bills waiting at the door of the Senate." He also explained the reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority to pass a budget bill. Republican Senators tried unsuccessfully to repeal the ACA using the process earlier this year.

When asked about future plans to attempt to repeal the ACA, Hice said he has heard talk of another reconciliation-based strategy next year, but did not know of any specifics.

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In the Loop: Cagle Seeks Middle Ground on 'Religious Liberty' Bill

By Nate Harris | September 28, 2017 1:03pm

As governor, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle would sign a “religious liberty” bill—but not one that allows for discrimination, he told the UGA College Republicans on Wednesday.

The religious liberty issue is one that’s vexed Cagle for years. He supported the legislation in 2016, then reversed course earlier this year before once again backing a limited version.

Gov. Nathan Deal bowed to business interests who’d threatened to boycott Georgia when he vetoed the bill last year, angering Christian conservatives and pleasing LGBT Georgians and their allies who believed the bill would have let Christian-run businesses discriminate.

Companies “don't want to see a state that is discriminating in any way," Cagle said when asked about the religious liberty debate.

Cagle and other Republican gubernatorial candidates signed a pledge in August promising they would enact a religious liberty measure if elected.

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In the Loop: UGA Professors Sue to Overturn Campus Carry Law

By Nate Harris | September 27, 2017 1:44pm

Photo Credit: The University of Georgia

William B. Whitman is one of three UGA professors who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

Less than three months since it took effect, Georgia's campus carry law is facing a lawsuit.

Six professors at Georgia colleges and universities, including three from the University of Georgia, filed a complaint Monday against Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Chris Carr, arguing that the law interferes with the University System Board of Regents’ authority and educational mission, and it endangers students, faculty and staff. The lawsuit, filed in Fulton County, seeks to have the campus carry law declared unconstitutional.

"Reasonable minds can and do differ on this issue [gun control], but this case is not about who is right," the complaint reads. "Rather, it is about which entity decides."

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